Basketball - Clippers start healing process after Sterling ban

The NBA's decision to ban Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling from the game for life marks the start of a "healing process," said coach Doc Rivers, as his players got back to the business of playing basketball.

Earlier in the day, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver handed out a life ban to Sterling and fined him $2.5 million for racist comments that stunned the league and the nation.

It was a strong statement warmly applauded by the NBA as a whole, and the Clippers in particular.

While questions remain concerning Sterling's future ownership of the team, and the impact of his comments on the players, the NBA's stern decision has unquestionably lightened the Clippers load.

"I am drained," Rivers told reporters before the start of Game Five against the Golden State Warriors in their best-of-seven play-off series.

"But not drained enough not to go out and coach this game.

"I thought that was the sigh of relief we needed," Rivers said, referring to Silver's announcement earlier in the day. "Is this over? No, it's not over. But it's the start of a healing process that we need.

"We're going to let this whole thing run its course and then we'll all have better clarity. I want my players to be comfortable, honestly. I think that's the most important thing."

Silver, who has urged the NBA's owners to vote to force Sterling to sell the Clippers, has received universal backing throughout the league for his handling of the incident.

"My team-mates and I are in agreement with his decision," said Clippers guard Chris Paul, who is also the NBA's Players Association president.

"We appreciate the strong leadership from Commissioner Silver and he has our full support."

Fans at the Clippers' home Staples Center venue appeared to share Paul's sentiment, and the earlier ruling took the steam out of what was expected to be an unsettled environment.

There was a surprisingly low-key atmosphere outside the arena a few hours before Tuesday's game with just a smattering of protesters and Clippers fans wandering around with placards held high.

"We Are One. LA Clippers" read one banner, echoing the three words posted on the Clippers website earlier in the day in a clear response to the Sterling controversy which had engulfed the team since the weekend.